Lynus eagerly asked about the guild master as they arrived at the tavern.
He was surprised to learn that his master had first met the old man nearly half a century ago.
"Really, master?!" Lynus exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement.
"Indeed," the high king replied with a warm smile. "He was just a teenage boy back then— a true genius. A little man born for the martial way." His tone was filled with high praise and respect.
Lynus's curiosity grew even stronger as he yearned to see the technique the old master had created.
Suddenly, he hesitated, then asked, "How old are you, master?"
The high king glanced at him, a gentle smile on his face. "I'm 123 years old this year. Not that old," he said casually.
Lynus's jaw nearly dropped. "Really?!"
The high king chuckled softly. "Even without magic or sage art, I'll live far longer than most humans. I'm a half-dragon, after all." He looked toward the counter, checking if their order was nearly ready.
He continued, "True dragons can live for thousands of years. Even a three-century-old dragon is still considered a hatchling in the eyes of the living wyrms."
"Wyrms?" Lynus asked, intrigued.
"The oldest and largest of all dragons," the high king explained, gesturing with his hands. "Most of them are incredibly dangerous—truly formidable."
"Wow! And… the phoenix?" Lynus asked eagerly, eyes shining.
"Almost eternal," the high king replied warmly. "Since you're a half-phoenix, you can live for a very long time. A millennia can be considered a short span in your lifespan."
"Wow! I'll have all the time in the world to study magic and explore new places!" Lynus said excitedly.
Living too long—the high king thought silently—can be a blessing or a curse. Not wanting to dampen the boy's enthusiasm, he stayed silent.
Soon, the waitress arrived with their food and drinks.
"Wow! This all looks delicious, big sis!" Lynus cheerfully exclaimed.
"Of course! We have the best cook in town!" the waitress responded proudly.
As they enjoyed their meal, a party of adventurers entered the tavern.
They sat down with gloomy expressions and ordered food and drinks.
"Damn it!" one of them punched the table lightly and exclaimed.
"We're just lucky to have survived," comforted the party's paladin.
The other customers nearby noticed their demeanor and listened intently.
"Oh, the Red Shield Party! Is it true a cursed dragon appeared while you were finishing a raid?!" one customer asked loudly.
"What?!" others gasped.
"Yes," the paladin replied quietly, "We didn't stand a chance."
"Is it really that powerful?" someone asked, voice trembling.
"It's different from the cursed dragons I've seen before," the paladin said grimly. "It can transform into a giant, demonic figure with crimson arms—truly terrifying."
The tavern's chatter grew as more customers spread the news, some leaving to inform friends and family.
Suddenly, a warm voice cut through the noise.
"Where is it?" everyone looked toward the source: a young man and a boy eating at a corner table. It was the High King who asked, using his magic to calm the crowd.
"East of the Grand Forest," the paladin answered.
"Thank you," the group's priest said, noticing the magic used. The High King only nodded silently.
Later that night, inside the High King's lodging, Lynus asked softly, "Are you planning to hunt the dragon, master?"
The High King didn't reply immediately. He was gazing out the window, a gentle smile on his face.
"Come on. Let's check it out," he said, turning to Lynus and smiling.
"L-Let…" Lynus started, but before he could finish, the High King grabbed him and activated a minor teleportation spell.
In an instant, they arrived exactly east of the Grand Forest.
Lynus looked around at the towering trees, their shadows faintly illuminated by the moonlight.
"How are we going to find the cursed dragon?" Lynus asked nervously.
"Simple," the High King said with a confident smile.
He then released his overwhelming magic presence—tyrannical and oppressive.
Animals and beasts instinctively sought cover, and birds scattered in all directions, frightened by the sheer force.
Lynus was stunned—this was his first time experiencing his master's true arcane might.
"This isn't my dragon's aura," the High King said calmly, eyes fixed on the forest. "This is my own magic presence."
Suddenly, an overbearing voice echoed through the woods.
"Who are you?!" it boomed.
"Fremonth, Son of 'Grand Fist' Marius," the High King announced, his voice steady.
Hahaha! The half-breed! The fake. The so-called High King!"
From above, a massive figure descended with a thunderous crash—about 10 meters tall, with blazing arms that shimmered like molten lava. BOOM!
The High King swiftly used a force field to shield Lynus.
"So you're alive," the giant boomed, eyes glowing crimson. "Does that mean your master is alive too? Or… is your Wing trying to revive him?"
"Hahaha! So you're aware of us?" the giant sneered.
"Yeah. Some losers," Fremonth replied casually, a smirk on his face.
The giant roared in rage. "We lost to your father, not to you, half-breed!" he shouted, veins bulging.
Suddenly, he unleashed a tremendous surge of demonic energy and swung a devastating punch.
Fremonth, unshaken, circulated his magical aura and calmly stopped the punch with his left foot.
"You've messed with the wrong city," Fremonth said coolly. "That little rascal will give you a good time."
"Little who?" the giant demanded, jumping back defensively.
"You'll find out," Fremonth said with a confident smile.
The giant was about to attack again when he was suddenly struck by a powerful force.
SWOOOOSH!BAM!
He crashed into the trees, hitting a small hill with a crack.
It was the old guild master, arriving like lightning, striking with a thunderous kick.
"Am I late, Your Highness?" he asked, dusting off his hands.
"No," Fremonth replied softly, smiling. "Your timing is perfect."
Lynus gazed at the old master with admiration, his eyes wide.
"Bastards!" the giant roared, preparing another attack. But once more, the old master's strike sent him crashing into the trees with a crack.
Frustrated, the giant began transforming into his full dragon form.
Zzzmmmm!Bang!
But as soon as his transformation neared completion, the old master appeared again, delivering a downward kick that shattered his head into the ground, blood splattering.
The giant lay incapacitated, eyes wide with terror as he looked up at the old master's fierce gaze.
"You played with my people earlier," the old master said with a commanding voice. "Now it's payback."
Realizing he was no match, the giant summoned what strength he had left and attempted to flee.
"Hey! I'm still here, you know?" Fremonth called out before hurling an orb.
The orb exploded midair, transforming into chains that rapidly shot toward the giant.
Holy Magic Chains! The chains wrapped around him, forcing him to the ground.
"Gotcha!" Fremonth said cheerfully.
The old master focused his magic, forming a sharp force blade in his left hand.
"You can leave… but I'll take your crimson arms," he said coldly.
Without hesitation, he dashed forward at incredible speed. But suddenly, a figure in a black cloak appeared, parrying his attack.
Clash!
The old master remained calm, using his momentum to deliver a spinning kick.
The cloaked man blocked it with his left arm, pushing the old master back.
He then used the shield-like arm to redirect the attack and land gracefully on the ground.
"Oh, another visitor?" Fremonth looked up, smiling.
Standing before them was a tall, handsome man with blazing eyes.
From above, a beautiful woman with dragon wings descended gracefully.
"Greetings to the High King of the Golden Palace and to you, Martial Saint Yuga," The woman greeted politely.
She smiled warmly. "Sorry, but we can't give his arms."
She looked at the old man and continued, "When we learned that you, a martial saint, retired here, we hurried to pick up this boy."
The old master remained silent, studying her calmly.
The black-cloaked man nodded toward them. "We will meet again."
With that, they vanished into shadow magic.
See you around, Fremonth thought quietly with a smile.
He looked at Lynus and asked, "How are you?"
"I'm fine, master!" Lynus responded loudly.
Fremonth nodded and grinned. "Let's head back to the city."